Once you've built the line items (see Create an estimate, line by line), the next step is getting the customer to approve. Autodots gives you a signature link the customer can sign on any phone — no app, no login.
Turn on signature
On the estimate form, scroll to Digital signature required and toggle it on. The toggle adds a signature step to the customer's approval link; without it, the customer can still approve, but with one click instead of a drawn signature.
Send the link
Hit Save & send. You'll be asked how to deliver:
- Email — uses the customer's email on file. Subject + body are templated and include the approve-link.
- WhatsApp — generates a pre-filled WhatsApp message with the link. Opens your WhatsApp Web or app — you tap send.
- SMS — short message, just the link.
- Copy link — for any other channel (in-person, your CRM, anywhere).
What the customer sees
The link opens /approve-estimate/[id] on any browser:
- Your shop logo and name at the top.
- Vehicle and customer info.
- Itemised list: services, parts, sublet, discount, tax, total.
- Inspection photos (if you uploaded any).
- Approve / Reject buttons. Approve shows a signature pad; they draw with a finger or stylus, hit Confirm.
What locks after approval
Once signed, the estimate is read-only:
- Line items, prices, taxes — all locked.
- Customer/vehicle — locked.
- The signed PDF and the customer's IP, browser, signed-at timestamp are saved for audit.
You can still add a new version: changes go onto v2; v1 stays archived. The customer gets a new approve-link if v2 increases the total.
Resending
If they didn't get the email or lost the link: open the estimate → Resend approve link. The link itself doesn't change, so any earlier copy still works.